Tent



Sept. 17, 1929. G N 1,728,356

TENT

Filed Sept. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet l 1771/67? for; EarZl/Vwyary Sept. 17, 1929,. E. D. MORGAN TENT Filed Sept. '5, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 all] M070,

.iz wwy.

Sept. 1 7, 1929 R A 1,728,356

TENT

Filed Sept. 5, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet I:

1.7? uenfar Earl I Mayan,

Sept. 17, 1929. MORGAN 1,723,356

TENT

Filed Sept. 5, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 p 17, 1929- E. D. MORGAN 1,728,356

TENT

Filed Sept. 5, 1925 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jay 12.

Patented Sept. 17, 1929 EARL D. MORGAN, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA OFFICE,"

I TENT Application filed September 5, 1925 Serial No. 54,647.

This invention has to do withtents, and is particularly concerned with that typeof tent wherein the supporting structure is of a col-- lapsible nature so it may be brought into a bundle of relatively small compass for transportation. lVhile, of course, thetentis adapted for usein any situation where a structure of this type isdesirable, it is particularly well suited to meet the requirements of auton iobile tourists who camp along the wayside'or at beaches; this for thei'eason that it may be collapsed to such'propor'tions that it may be readily packed for transport on the running board or luggage racks of vehicles.

The invention has for its general objects to provide a tentwhich may be quickly and easily erected or collapsechone which is sufficiently sturdy and rigid, when erected, to withstand well the action of the elements, and one which, when collapsed, occupies minimum storage space and is always immediate erection.

It is a more'particular object of the'inve b tion to provide a tent offthe character generally described above wherein all necessity for center, ridge and end poles is eliminated,

the wallspreferably extending verticallysuffic ently to give ample head room everywhere in the tent. The total elimination of dead space and supporting structure, exceptat' the walls of the tent, gives the occupants freedom of movement, impossible in the usual structure, and allows the disposition of Cote, tables, etc, to a decided advantage, as will be readily understood. I

Genera-ll I a'ccom )iish' m ouroose b 7 L l'JFOVlt'llIlg a self-supportinyg wall structure which, in turn, supports a foldable top structure. The frame is made up ofa plurality of pairs of levers, the levers of each pair being pivotally connected near their centers, and the ends of the levers being pivotally connected to the ends of the levers ofan adjacent pair, the general assembly being in the nature of lazy tongs, except that adjacent lever pairs are angularly disposed with resp ct to one another to form a threeesided frame. It will be readily seen that a structure of this hind may be collapsed or extended with a minimum of effort. Furthermore, there is no in condition rm frame;

necessity for guy ropes and tent stakesto hold the frame in erected condition.

In order to reduce the longitudinal extent of the collapsed frame, I prefer to have breakjoints in the levers'whereby they may beofolded, there being detents provided for holding them in straightened out-condition when the structure s erected. 1 1

F1 irther ects and feature eciiication, reference being had to the ace anying drawings, in which:

F l is a perspective View showing the tent in erected condition. andwith thefiy lowered over the open side of the tent as a I F 2 isia view similarto Fig. 1, except that the iiyiis shown in raised condition and 3is a detached, fragmentary plan view ,of the collapsible top frame;

of the inven- I tron will be made apparent in the fOllOWlIlg. X detailed Fig. 4 is a section on line 44of Fig. 3, l except that it shows the full diagonal extent of the top frame and shows the typeof conneotion between the top frame andthe Wall Fig. 5 is a section on line 55 of Fig. 4;

6 is a view of the top frame in collapsed condition, the [canvas covering being omitted in order to expose the frame elements,

Figioiis a view similarto Fig. 1, except that it showsgthe structure after the top has been removed;

lapsed but before it has been loweredtothe ground and folded; i I

F'g'. 9 ,is a detached side elevationof -the wall frame as F a '7;

Fig.8 is a plan view of diagrammatic natin-e, butmay beconsidered as a section taken about'online 8 -8 of Fig.9 ;1 the dotted lines showing the relative/position of certain ,of

the frameparts after the frame has been col-1,95.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view of Fig. 9 looking from the direction of line 10 in that figure;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged plan detail of a typical break-joint provided in the frame levers;

Fig. 12 is a section on line 1212 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the frame after it has been collapsed and then lowered to the right from the position of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 14 is a side elevation of Fig. 13, but showing the frame levers in an intermediate position as they are being folded.

The canvas walls and floor of the tent are preferably sewed together into a single piece or housing of the shape clearly indicated in Fig. 7, the rear wall 10 and side walls 11 preferably having reinforcing or binding strips 12, the upper strips being provided with eyelets 13. Floor 1e may have loops 15 sewed thereto and extending horizontally therefrom to take stal-zes 16, though I find it ordinarily unnecessary to use such stakes, front strips 17 extend from sides 11 and are sewed attheir bottom edges to floor 14, thus providing corner pockets 18 at the front of the tent as well as at the rear thereof.

The canvas walls are detachably connected to the self-supporting wall frame in the inanner to be later described, and when the canvas is in detached condition it may be rolled up into a bundle of small compass or may be wrapped about the collapsed frame as a covering.

The wall frame consists of three sections, viz, back section 19 and side sections 20 and 21. In turn, each section is made up of a pair of levers 22 which are pivotally joined near their centers and pivotally connected, in effect, to the ends of the levers in the adjacent section. The pivotal connection between the lever ends is made through angle members, it following that collapse or extension of one section causes coincident collapse or extension, respectively, of the other sections, but the direction of collapse or extension of a given section is angular with respect to the direction of collapse or extension of the adjacent section. Furthermore, in order that the frame may be of less longitudinal extent when in collapsed condition, I prefer to provide break-joints in the levers, and I will describe the particular provision shown in the drawings whereby the levers may be folded, though it is to be understood that the invention, considered in its broader aspects is not limited to this particular construction method of folding, or even to having the levers so they are foldable. Furthermore, while I have specified and shown each section as being made up of a single pair of levers, it will be understood it also lies within the scope of my broader claims to make each section up of a plurality of lever pairs.

Except for certain individual peculiarities be attached to said bar.

which I will describe later, the rear and side frame sections are identical, and therefore, I will describe but one in detail, namely, side section 21 as shown in Fig. 9. Each lever 22 includes in its make-up a channel 2%, it being noted that both channels face toward the front of the tent structure when the frame is erected. Channels 24 are pivotally connected by pin 25 at a point which is approximately midway between the extreme ends of the levers, said pin extending through lugs 26. Bars 27 and 27, which complete the levers, are pivotally secured at 28, one to each channel, the web of the channels coacting with the bars to limit their clockwise movement, as viewed in Fig. 9; and when the bars are at this limit of movement, they are in longitudinal alinement with the channel. The joint thus described between bar and channel will be called" break-joint a. In order to hold the rods and channels releasably in longitudinal alinement, or otherwise expressed, in unfolded condition, I provide any suitable type of detent. A preferred form of detent. is illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawings, and while these figures show the breakjoint and dctent of one of the rear section levers, it may be described in connection with the side frame levers since the 10111138 and detents are identical. The illustrated and preferred form of detent is made up of a flat spring 29 secured to its associated channel by pivot pin 28 and rivet 29 and has at its free extremity a keeper bar 30 which is adapted to lie at the end of the channel and approximately in the common plane of the flange edges of the channel when the spring is in normal position. A cam extension 31, extends upwardly from keeper 30 and is of such a shape that when lever 22 is straightened out, bar 22 coacts with cam 31 to move keeper against the action of spring 29 into the dotted line positions shown in Figs. 11 and 12. Lever bar 22 is thus admitted to the channel as soon as it reaches its position of full extension, spring 29 snaps keeper 3O bacl; to normal position and over the bar,

thus releasably holding the channel and lever bar in their unfolded or extended positions. Cam 31 also provides a grip whereby the detent may be manually grasped to release it when it is desired to fold the lever. It will be noted that the axis of pivot pin 25, which I will call the collapsing axis of frame section 21 is substantially parallel to the axis of pivot pins 28, which I will term the folding axes of the frame sections.

The upper, free end of bar 27 has a post terminal 32 and an attachmentbutton 53, the latter providing means whereby the upper, forward end of the canvas side wall may he lower end of that channel 24: which carries bar 27 is pivotally connected at 34 to corner angle 35; while the free end of that channel 24 which carries bar 274 is adapted to extend into the lower end of corner pocket 18 of the canvas housing. The upper end of lever bar 27* is pivotally connected at 36 to upper corner angle 37, this angle carrying a post extension 38 and a corner button 39, the latter providing means whereby the upper, right-hand corner of canvas side 11 may be attached thereto.

Rear section 1.) is made up of levers 40 and 41 which are pivotally connected attheir centers by pin 42 (Fig. 10) and are each fashioned with a break-joint Z) similar to that described in connection with the side section, except that the axes 43 of the break joints are substantially perpendicularto the collapsing axis The channel portions 44 of both rear levers open toward the front of the tent when the latter is erected; in fact, by reference to Fig. 8, it will. be noted that all the channel members open to the front of the tent, and that each of them comprises the lower portion of a given lever. Deter its 29., 30, serve to hold the rear section levers releasably in unfolded position. The lower end. of lever 40 is pivotally connected to angle 35, the upper end of lever 41 pivotally connected to angle 37; whhe the upper and lower ends of lever 40 and 41 are pivotally secured to corner angles 45 and 46, respectively, these angles being similar to angles and 37, respectively, and beingv pivotally connected to the inner ends of the levers of the section making up the third side of the frame.

It will be noted that when the canvas walls are buttoned. to the side and rear sections at their tops and are spread into the corners of the canvas, as shown in Fig. 7, the extension movement of the frame is definitely limited by the tensioned canvas, and that due to the angular disposition of the side frame sections no supporting structure is necessary to maintain the frame inerect position.

For instance, consider a single section or panel, without regard to its associated section, as a stretch of canvas held at its corners to the ends of diagonally arranged, pivotally connected levers. The upper edge of the canvas acts as a tension member to prevent collapse of the lever assembly in one direction, and the side edges of the canvas prevent collapse of said assembly in the opposite direction, it thus being evident that the section is self-supported in extended condition. The corner pockets 18 receivethe lower ends of the lever so that the canvas is tensioned between them and serves to aid in holding the lever assembly extended. Then the associated panels coact with the given panel in a manner to maintain the latter erect.

Frame 47 of top T comprises arms 48, preferably of channel cross-section, which extend radially from and are pivoted to centerpiece 49. .The.arms, are releasably held in the spread condition shown inFigy4 byspreader arms 50 which extend from a pivotal connectionwith each arm into pivotal connection with spreader plate 51. Connecting the two arms 48 which extend to posts 32 of the side wall frame, is a folding ban-52 which is made up in a manner smnlar to the individual lovers of the 'slde frame, there being at the center of arm 52 abreakjoint 0 and detent sinnlartojoint a and'its detent. The free ends of arms'48 have apertures 53 which are adaptednto receive posts 32 and 38 whenthe top is placed in position on the side walls,

and bar 52 not only aids as releasable means for: holding the top frame 1n spread condition butlalso ties together and definitely spaces the free ends of the upwardly and forwardly extending levers of the oppositely disposed side'sections. The canvas C'of the top is preferably secured tocenter plate 49 at 54 and to the .free ends of arms 48 at 55, there being a marginalxstrip 56 extending beyond the arms and adapted to be brought down over the-upper edges of the side and rear .walls and buttoned thereto at 57.

The canvas offthe top is preferably extended forwardly at that side of the frame shown in F 2. In the latter event I prefer to utilize a fly supporting frame made up of arms 59 which are pivotally joined at .60 and which is fitted with" bar 52 to form a fly F:

have in them break-joints (Zand .detents similar to jointa and its detent. One end of each rod 59 has anapert'ure 61 whereby the rods may be hooked over posts 32 beneath top bars 48. At 62 on the forward ends of bars 54 are pivoted posts 62 which have in them a breakjointe and detent similar to joint (1 and itsdetent. Due to the crossing of bars 54 and their general method of support and .coaction with the wall frame, there is no necessity for guy ropes or any bracing structure forthe fly supporting frame.

It will be seen from the above and by erenceto the drawings that when the tent is erected, there no lost space therein, for there is no supporting-structure necessary except the frame along the side walls; and this frame, in turn, isself-supporting, there being no necessityfor guy ropes extending from the top of the frame to stakes'm the ground. The frame wlll, of course, ord narily be of such height that there is ample head room even around the walls of the tent and yet there is no structure betwecnthe walls to interfere with free passage thereb'etween .orwith' the placement of camping equipment. I

In striking thetent,the top is first lifted are clear of pins 82 and 38 and then folded into the position shown in Fig. 6, it being necessary, of course, to break joint 0 and pull down on plate 51 before arms 48 may be swung toward one another. The canvas of the top and the fly folds inwardly with the arms and the fullness thereof is taken up by wrapping it around the collapsed top frame. Assummg that the fly supporting frame has been in use, rods 59 are then freed from posts 32, joints d and e are broken, and the rods and posts folded about their break-joints and then swung together about pivot points 60 and 62 into a package of relatively small diameter and longitudinal extent.

The canvas side and rear walls are then disconnected from the wall frame and allowed to drop to the ground. The operator then swings levers 22 of any given section, preferably the rear section, together about its collapsing axis. Due to the pivotal connections between the various levers of the sections, this action causes simultaneous collapse of all the sections and brings the various members approximately into the relative position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8. The collapsed frame is then lowered to the right, as viewed in Figs. 8 or 9, it then being, as viewed from above, in the position of Fig. 13. It will be noted that by reason of the described relative disposition of the lever channels, all these channels now open upwardly, and that since the break-joint axes of the rear section are perpendicular to the collapsing axis of that section, they are approximately parallel and in alinement with the breakjoint or folding axes of the side sections. The free ends of those portions of the side frame levers which carry posts 32 are then folded, after breaking their joints, upon their associated channel members, while the two lever arms connected to each upper angle 37 or 45, as the case may be, are simultaneously folded by swinging them upon their break-joint axes. The operation of folding the levers is illustrated in Fig. 14, it being understood that the folding movement is then continued until the elements are nested closely; it also being understood that Fig. 13 shows the frame in a somewhat open position so the elements may be more clearly distinguished, though they may be more closely drawn together when they are prepared for packing. In this connection it may be pointed out that the various levers are of such proportion and material that they may bend sufficiently to allow the illustrated overlaps without injury to the structure.

The folding of the levers about halves tne length of the collapsed frame, giving to it such dimensions as render it easily handled and easily packed. Of course, I may provide more than one break-j oint in each lever to reduce still further the length ofthe folded structure, without departing" from the spirit of the invention.

.of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a tent, a collapsible side wall frame embodying a rear section and two side sec tions, each section including a pair of levers pivotally connected at their centers, angle members pivotally connecting one end of each of the levers of the side sections to an adjacent end of one of the levers of the rear sec tion, and a break-joint in each lever; the axes of the break-jointsin the levers of the side sections being substantially parallel to the axis of their pivotal connection, and the axis of the break-joints of the levers of the rear section being substantially perpendicular to the axis of their pivotal connection.

2. In a tent, a collapsible side wall frame embodying a plurality of pairs of levers, the levers of each pair being pivotally connected at their centers, and the ends of the levers in adjacent pairs having pivotal connection with one another whereby pivotal movement of the levers of one pair causes simultaneous pivotal movement of the other levers; and a canvas housing drawn around the frame and applied directly to the levers to limit the pivotal movement of the levers.

8. In a tent, a collapsible frame, a canvas housing extending about the frame, said frame embodying pairs of levers, the levers of a given pair being pivotally connected near their centers, and means for applying said housing directly to the levers to hold them against pivotal movement.

4:. In a tent, a collapsible frame embodying a plurality of collapsible side sections, a canvas housing extended about said frame when said frame is erected, one of said sections embodying a pair of levers pivotally connected near their centers, said section being put into erected and collapsed condition by selective relative pivotal movement of said levers, and said housing being applied directly to the ends of said levers when the frame is erected and thus holding said section releasably against collapse by pivotal movement of the levers in given directions.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 21st day of August, 1925.

EAR-L D. MORGAN. 

